1. How are you? Chinese: Nǐ hǎo ma? (Nee-haoww-mah?

) 你好吗

"Nǐ hǎo ma?" literally means "You good?" (nǐ = you, hǎo =
good, ma = ?). Similar to "How are you?" it can mean "Are you
ok?"

"Nǐhǎo" is said frequently. It might mean "Nǐ hǎo ma?", but it

typically means something like 'It's you — good." or "Nice to see
you." It's the most basic and standard Chinese greeting.
2. Good or bad? Chinese: Hǎobùhǎo? (haoww-boo-haoww) 好不好 Hǎo means
'good'. Hǎo also means "ok".

Bùhǎo means 'not good'. ("Bu" means 'no' or 'not'.) Chinese

speakers use "hǎo" and "buhao" to say something is good or bad,
and to signal agreement or disagreement.

Combining "hǎo" and "bùhǎo" gives "Hǎobùhǎo?", which is

a question. It means 'Good or not good?' or 'Is it ok?' After this
or "Nǐ hǎo ma?" you can reply "hǎo" or "bùhǎo".

3. Thank you. Chinese: Xièxie. (sshyeah-sshyeah) 谢谢

4. I’m sorry. Chinese: Duìbuqǐ. (dway-boo-chee) 对不起

This phrase can be used both to apologize and to ask for

repetition. It literally means "I didn't begin correctly." or "You're
right, that isn't upright."

"Duì" means 'correct'. It is often repeated two or three times to

indicate agreement (Duì duì duì).

5. Asking What Something Chinese: Zhè shì shénme? (Jer shrr shnn-muh?) 这是什么?
Is
Here is a good way to both indicate your interest in an item and
to learn a lot of new words.

The three important words are: Zhè (this), shì (is),

and shénme (what).

Combined with pointing, "Zhè shì shénme?" can be used to find

out what things are called.

Shì (all forms of the verb "to be") is also used to mean "yes",
like "duì" and "hǎo", and can also be combined with bù for "it's
not" (bùshì).
6. Do you have …? Chinese: Yǒuméiyǒu …? (Yoh-may-yoh ...?) 有没有…?

Yǒu means 'have', and méiyǒu means "to not have". The
word méi means lack. So the phrase "yǒuméiyǒu …"
literally means "have or not have …?"

7. How much money? Chinese: Duōshao qián? 多少钱 (Dwor-sshaoww chyen?)

The phrase "duōshao?" is composed of the words duō

(much) and shǎo (few), and means "how much?" or "how
many?" Qián means 'money'.

8. Where is …? Chinese: ... zài nǎlǐ? (... dzeye naa-lee?) …在哪里

The three words are: zài (on or in), nǎ (where or which),

and lǐ (inside or very roughly the word "place").

Put the name of the place or object you want to find

before zài nǎlǐ.

9. I want to go to … Chinese: Wǒ xiǎng qù... (Wor sshyang chyoo …) 我想

去…

The three words are: wǒ (I), xiǎng (want), and qù (to go).
Then add the name of the place.

This is useful for buying train tickets, taking a taxi, etc.

10. Rest-room / Toilet Chinese: Cèsuǒ. (tser-swor) 厕所 || Xǐshǒujiān (See-sow-

jian) 洗手间

As in English, there are several words and phrases used to

mean bathroom.

You will see 男 on the door for the men’s bathroom

and 女 on the door of the women’s.

11. Too expensive Chinese: Tài guìle! (Tie gway luh!) 太贵了

Keep in mind that it’s appropriate to haggle for souvenirs,

clothing, shoes, and accessories in markets, but food is
typically a fixed price.

12. Make it cheaper Chines: Piányí yī diǎn. (Pian-yee yee dian.) 便宜一点
13. Check, please. Chinese: Măi dān (My dahn) 买单 || jié zhàng 结账

14. I don’t understand Chinese: Wǒ bù dǒng (Wuh boo dong) 我不懂 || wǒ bú

tài míng bai 我不太明白

15. Yes Chinese: Shì (Sheh) 是

16. No Chinese: Bù shì (Bu-sheh) 不是

17. Please, excuse me. Chinese: Jiè guò yī xià 借过一下

18. Please repeat that. Chinese: Qǐng zài shuō yī biàn 请再说一遍